Toilet seat detects atrial fibrillation

The “HARO EKG-seat” from Hamberger Medical is designed to integrate the early detection of cardiac arrhythmia into everyday life. Sensors for a 6-channel ECG are integrated into the toilet seat, which the company launched on the market last year. A recently completed clinical study investigated whether a toilet seat equipped with ECG sensors can reliably detect atrial fibrillation.

The “Hamberger Heart Study” was conducted at the University Hospital Erlangen and the RoMed Klinikum Rosenheim. The scientists compared the measurement accuracy of the ECG toilet seat with conventional medical ECG devices, particularly in the detection of atrial fibrillation. This cardiac arrhythmia affects around 1.6 million people in Germany and significantly increases the risk of stroke if left untreated.

According to Hamberger Medical, the results of the clinical study show a high level of agreement between the 6-lead ECG system in the toilet seat and the medical standard 12-lead ECG. The manufacturer reports that the system delivers reliable results, particularly in the detection of atrial fibrillation.

The provider emphasizes the ease of use as a significant advantage over conventional ECG procedures. The test subjects were able to use the ECG-seat without special instruction, which, according to the manufacturer, underlines its suitability for home use and telemedical applications. However, an independent evaluation of the full study results by experts is still pending. Hamberger Medical developed the ECG seat together with the Medical Sensor Systems group at Fraunhofer IIS. The toilet seat contains four sensors that act as electrodes and record a 6-channel resting ECG while seated.

A smartphone app controls the approximately 30-second measurement and analyzes the collected data for signs of cardiac arrhythmia. The measurement results can be saved in the app and forwarded to the attending physician as a password-protected PDF (PDF) if required. An example of such a measurement protocol can be viewed on the manufacturer's website. The manufacturer had already had the seat certified in accordance with the Medical Device Regulation (MDR).

The ECG seat itself costs just under 2,500 euros. Statutory health insurance companies do not yet cover the costs, but privately insured people may be reimbursed depending on their tariff. The manufacturer also offers financing options with monthly installments. Batteries are integrated into the seat, which should last for five to seven years with one or two daily measurements. A replacement battery pack costs around 60 euros. According to the manufacturer, the toilet seat fits most commercially available toilet ceramics and has antibacterial surface protection.

Not the only ECG toilet seat

There is a similar product on the international market, the “Heart Seat” from US company Casana, but it is still in the development phase. The FDA has already approved the Heart Seat for measuring heart rate and blood oxygen saturation, while the HARO ECG-seat only performs ECG measurements. The technology could be of interest to older people and patients with known heart problems, as it can be integrated into everyday life without additional effort and enables regular measurements without the person concerned having to actively think about it.

(mack)